CRITIQUE

Diamond certified VIDEO PROFILE

Diamond certified company PROFILE

Jose Barajas, Owner

Maintenance Agents cleans all types of windows for residential and commercial clients in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Francisco Counties. The company also has the training and equipment to clean gutters and power wash exterior surfaces, and it backs every job with a written satisfaction guarantee.

Owner Jose Barajas says his hands-on approach to cleaning has allowed him to build a loyal clientele base that’s quick to refer Maintenance Agents to others. “As the owner-operator, I’m on every jobsite dealing with the customer and making sure they get exactly what they need. I know what it takes to maintain good relationships with my clients and improve the curb appeal of their properties.”

Mr. Barajas says Maintenance Agents’ detail-oriented business practices are important for ensuring its customers have positive experiences. “For example, if a customer has a problem with sprinklers being sprayed on their windows, I’ll show them how to angle the sprinklers away from the glass so they don’t get hard water stains. My clients really appreciate how much I care about their homes and businesses.”

DIAMOND CERTIFIED RESEARCHED ARTICLES ON Maintenance Agents

Owner Jose Barajas cleans a customer’s window.

Company Profile

Maintenance Agents cleans all types of windows for residential and commercial clients in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Francisco Counties. The company also has the training and equipment to clean gutters and power wash exterior surfaces, and it backs every job with a written satisfaction guarantee.

Owner Jose Barajas says his hands-on approach to cleaning has allowed him to build a loyal clientele base that’s quick to refer Maintenance Agents to others. “As the owner-operator, I’m on every jobsite dealing with the customer and making sure they get exactly what they need. I know what it takes to maintain good relationships with my clients and improve the curb appeal of their properties.”

Mr. Barajas says Maintenance Agents’ detail-oriented business practices are important for ensuring its customers have positive experiences. “For example, if a customer has a problem with sprinklers being sprayed on their windows, I’ll show them how to angle the sprinklers away from the glass so they don’t get hard water stains. My clients really appreciate how much I care about their homes and businesses.”

Company Philosophy

“My goals on each job are to meet the demands of the customer, be there to answer their questions and make sure the work turns out exactly how it’s supposed to. I strive for 100 percent customer satisfaction in everything I do, and the best way to achieve that is to focus on details and take the time to ensure quality results.”

Comparative Summary

Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for window washing companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Maintenance Agents, the best way to ensure customer satisfaction is to focus on the details of every job, regardless of its size. “My detail-oriented approach to cleaning allows me to provide my customers with the results they expect,” affirms owner Jose Barajas. “Their satisfaction is my number one priority, so everything I do is based on achieving that.”

Maintenance Agents has been cleaning windows for residential and commercial clients in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Francisco Counties since 2013. The company also has the in-house capabilities to clean gutters and power wash exterior surfaces, and it provides every job with a written satisfaction guarantee.

Unlike window washing companies whose owners delegate project management responsibilities to less experienced employees, Maintenance Agents provides each job with the hands-on expertise of Mr. Barajas himself. “As the owner-operator, I’m on the jobsite doing the work and making sure the customer is 100 percent satisfied,” he says. “I can walk them through the process and answer all of their questions, which they really appreciate.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Maintenance Agents is its flexibility when it comes to working around its customers’ schedules. “A lot of my customers want their work done late at night, early in the morning or on days when their businesses aren’t open,” says Mr. Barajas. “I understand that, so I make myself available whenever they need me.”

Industry Info

When it comes to maintaining the windows on your home or business, don’t underestimate the importance of working with a professional. It can be tempting to hire the first window washing company you come across in the phone book, but that’s usually not the best way to find a qualified professional who will provide you with honest, safe services. According to Jose Barajas, owner of Maintenance Agents in Tracy, you should take the time to find a company that’s insured, has the right equipment for the job and cares about the quality of its work. “If a window cleaning company doesn’t carry insurance, it shows they don’t care about quality,” he says. “In fact, if you hire a company that isn’t insured, you can be liable for any property damage or even injuries to their workers.”

Since your window washer will likely use a ladder, having the right equipment and a commitment to safety are also crucial. “When you’re dealing with ladders and heights, you need experience in ladder safety,” confirms Mr. Barajas. “You also need to know how to use the equipment and make smart choices about the best cleaning products for the job.”

Mr. Barajas also cautions that simply caring about safety isn’t enough to get the outcome you want. “You can have the best equipment, but ultimately, the quality of the job comes down to the workers taking their time and delivering quality.”

Most industry experts say you should have your windows professionally cleaned at least once a year, but there are numerous steps you can take in between those cleanings to extend the life and functionality of your windows. Consider the following tips:

Always use a soft cloth or bristle brush with a long handle to wash your windows. Don’t ever use high-pressure spray—the increased pressure can damage the caulking.

Use horizontal strokes to wash one side of a window and vertical strokes to wash the other side—you’ll immediately be able to tell which side has a streak. You can prevent streaks on large windows by using a squeegee on a long handle or a sponge/squeegee combination.

A soft toothbrush or cotton swab makes a good tool for cleaning the corners of windows. To remove the build-up that accumulates, dip the toothbrush or swab in vinegar and rinse it with water.

Frequently Asked Questions

A: Depending on the size of the job, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days.

Q: Can you wash windows on large buildings?

A: Yes, I’ll work on commercial buildings up to three stories tall.

Q: What kinds of safety measures do you take while on the jobsite?

A: I’ve passed all the required safety certification classes, and I always use safe working procedures to protect my customers and their properties.

Q: Will you use my water supply or do you bring water with you?

A: I can do both. I have a water source I can use if the work is outside, but I can also use the water supply on the property, so it’s up to you. Right now, a lot of Bay Area homeowners and property managers are concerned about using water to wash windows and exterior surfaces, but I always check with the city beforehand to make sure I’m complying with any local water restrictions.

DIAMOND CERTIFIED EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR ADVICE & TIPS FROM Jose Barajas

Expert CONTRIBUTOR PROFILE

Jose Barajas is owner of Maintenance Agents, a Diamond Certified company. He can be reached at (510) 228-4569 or by email.

Jose Barajas: Working His Way Up

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

TRACY — As the head of a one-man window washing operation, Jose Barajas says his main focus is working his way up (in some ways literally) to the top of his industry. “For about nine years, I inspected powered platforms—the kind that window washers use to wash high-rise buildings,” he explains. “I got to know the owners of a couple of window washing companies and learned it was a very lucrative business. After a while, I decided to get into window washing myself, as well as power washing. So far, things have been going very well. Currently, I’m only servicing buildings up to three stories high, but I’m planning to work my way up from here.”

Today, as owner of Maintenance Agents, Jose enjoys the daily challenges his livelihood presents. “My job is definitely challenging, but then again, I’ve always done challenging things,” he says. “My favorite challenge of all is pushing the limits of the types of jobs I can handle. Recently, I serviced a three-story, 30,000-square-foot apartment complex, which is the biggest job I’ve done so far. I’m looking forward to topping that in the future.”

A lifetime Bay Area resident, Jose lives in Tracy with his wife, Carina, and their daughter, Olivia. When asked his favorite part about living and working in the Bay Area, he says it’s the many different metropolitan areas. “In my line of work, I spend a lot of time in big cities. Whether I’m working in San Jose, San Francisco or Oakland, I really enjoy being amid the hustle and bustle of city life.”

Outside of work, Jose likes to stay active with hobbies like fitness and hiking. “While I like spending time in the city, I also really enjoy the outdoors,” he affirms. “In particular, I like going on hikes with my family and lifting weights. Whether it’s outdoors or at the gym, exercise is an important part of my life.”

In his life and career, Jose espouses the value of pursuing your goals. “I often remind my daughter that nothing worth having comes easy,” he explains. “The more difficult the challenge, the more likely something good is going to come out of it. Whatever your goals are, if you work hard, you’re going to be rewarded in the end—if not financially, then internally.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Jose says he would travel the world. “I’ve been to Hawaii, and that’s about the furthest I’ve traveled, so I obviously still have a lot to see. I think if I retired tomorrow, I’d plan a trip across Europe. That seems like a good place to start.”

Expert articles

The Truth about Power Washing

by Jose Barajas, a Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

TRACY — When it comes to maintaining residential and commercial properties, one worthwhile measure is power washing, which offers a low-cost way to keep a building’s exterior looking fresh and clean. Unfortunately, power washing tends to get a lot of bad press, to the point where it has become notorious for causing damage to exterior surfaces. However, this only tells half of the story.

In reality, it’s not power washing that damages exterior surfaces—it’s people who don’t know how to correctly operate a power washer. If the person operating the power washer knows how to properly calibrate and handle it, exterior damage is very unlikely to occur. A professional will know important details like what PSI setting and type of detergent to use, resulting in a thorough job that doesn’t harm the building’s exterior. So, don’t be afraid of power washing—just make sure to hire an experienced professional.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Jose Barajas: The number one tip out there for exterior building maintenance in residential and commercial properties would be power washing. A lot of people tend to think that power washing destroys the exterior surfaces. I like to assure them that it all depends on the service professional doing the work. If they know how to handle their equipment, what PSI to put the machine at. So, and also what detergent to use. So, all those things come into play. So, hiring the right professional that has the right experience would be number one.

Host, Sarah Rutan: To learn more from local top rated companies, visit our Diamond Certified Expert Reports at experts.diamondcertified.org.

COMPANY CONTACT

Maintenance Agents

Diamond Certified RATINGS ON Maintenance Agents

Rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise

Maintenance Agents

41 SURVEYS

RATING

3 CONSECUTIVE YEARS SINCEJune 2016CERT2370

DIAMOND CERTIFIED PERFORMANCE GUARANTEED

Diamond certified ratings dashboard

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
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Customer LOYALTY
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Helpful Expertise
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Each surveyed customer was asked, “If you needed any helpful expertise, did this company provide that expertise?” To calculate this score, total “Yes” responses were divided by total responses (excluding those that stated they hadn’t needed any expertise).

Company Credentials
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Liability Insurance

License Verification

Business Practices

Current Complaint File

Phone SURVEY RESPONSES FROM 41 VERIFIED CUSTOMERS
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Maintenance Agents:
Average 9.4 out of 10 based on 41 unique customer surveys of customer satisfaction.

Carletta C.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

1
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He's a very good and professional person. I would recommend him.

He's a very professional young man, and he did good work.

Claire F.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

2
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He responded, showed up on time, and completed the work to my satisfaction.

Basically, they give prompt and polite service.

Leslie F.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

3
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

I would recommend him.

I had to leave my home when he did it, and when I came back, it was done.

Mary R.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

4
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He did a good job, and I'd recommend him.

I was satisfied with the work that he did.

Linda K.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

5
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

They did a good service, and I would recommend them.

Their personal, detailed work, and the care that they took

Bob F.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

6
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

I would recommend them. He worked to our satisfaction.

They were timely, thorough, and met our expectations.

Frank H.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

7
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

I would recommend them.

They were on time, thorough, and helpful.

Aaron P.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

8
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

Very professional, hardworking, and they did a great job.

I liked their professionalism and the thorough job that they did.

Gary B.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

9
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

I would recommend them. I was satisfied with the service.

They did a good job. I have no complaints.

James

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

10
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

They are very responsive and provide quality and timely service

He does what he says he is going to do.

Amanda M.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

11
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

They were on time, did what they say they were going to do, and are reasonably priced.

I liked the service quality and how fast they completed the job.

Ron J.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

12
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He can be trusted to do the job that he was hired to do.

He showed up and did the job. The work was delivered as advertised.

Krista B.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

13
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

I would tell them to use them. They are excellent.

The quality of work and the professionalism

Hanna R.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

14
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

I would recommend them to anyone.

They did a super job, and I wouldn't use anyone else. I even gave them a comment on their website.

Charlotte G.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

15
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

I would recommend them to anyone. He's very pleasant, and he does a good job.

I liked his work, and I liked his attitude.

Anna

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

16
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

They are very good and professional.

Everything was very good. I was very satisfied.

Tracy M.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

17
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

He was great. I would refer him for sure.

The quality of the job he performed was excellent.

Brenda H.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

18
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

We had it done because we were selling our house, and it worked out well.

I liked how professional they were, how persistent they were to finish on time, and how they did a great job. I'm really satisfied with their work.

Paul B.

VERIFIED Maintenance Agents CUSTOMER

19
of
41

Quality 10

1010

Loyalty
Yes

CRITIQUE

I'm sure they would be more than willing to help me out if I ever needed expertise. Given the choice again, I'd definitely use them.